Merry Molasses Cookies

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup full-flavor (dark) molasses
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice

Glaze:

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 to 3 Tbsp milk

In large bowl, beat granulated sugar and shortening with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in remaining cookie ingredients. Cover; refrigerate dough at least 3 hours or until firm.

Heat oven to 375 F. Generously grease cookie sheets with shortening or cooking spray. On generously floured cloth-covered surface, roll half of dough at a time to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with 3-inch round cookie cutter. On cookie sheets, place cutouts about 1 1/2 inches apart.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched lightly in the center. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

In small bowl, mix glaze ingredients until smooth. Spread on cooled cookies.

Makes about 36 cookies, 3 WW PointsPlus each.